Greater Glasgow and Clyde Medicines

The latest Community Pharmacy Update bulletin can be found here. It contains items on:

• Making the Most of My Medicines (MMy)
• Pharmaceutical Waste
• Seasonal Flu Vaccination
• Pseudoephedrine and Ephedrine
• Achieving Excellance in Pharmaceutical Care
• Opportunity to help develop mobile app
• SPSP
• ONS

Published 14/09/17

Adult Therapeutics Handbook: Content Update Sept 2017   The Therapeutics Handbook content has now been updated and includes the following main change:

UPDATED ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL RECOMMENDATIONS Summary of Key Changes New Pabrinex® prescription recommendations for patients ‘at risk’ of Wernicke’s Encephalopa...

This post summarises the latest NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde decisions relating to new medicines considered by the Area Drug and Therapeutics Committee (ADTC) and uses a nationally developed format specifically aimed for patients and the public.

For full details of the medicines included in this post that are available for use, including any restrictions on prescribing, please see the relevant entry in the GGC Formulary.

Highlights the current shortage of adult hepatitis B vaccine.

Drug Safety Update (August 2017) includes: Ibrutinib (Imbruvica ...

The GGC Oral NSAID guideline has recently been updated. Ibuprofen and naproxen remain the NSAIDs of choice. The prescribing notes have been updated and include additional information on acute kidney injury and hepatic impairment.

 Oral NSAIDs - An Update

** This bulletin supersedes PostScript Extra No. 24 **

• There is considerable variation in individual response and tolerance to NSAIDs, but little difference in anti-inflammatory activity.
• All NSAIDs should be avoided if possible in patients with a history of vascular disease, a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), or gastrointestinal (GI) risk factors.
• Treatment choice depends on individual response, risk factors and adverse effects, particularly GI and cardiovascular (CV) complications.
• The lowest effective dose to control the patient’s symptoms, for the shortest duration possible, should be used. The use of ‘as required’ NSAIDs should be considered where appropriate.
• The preferred non-selective NSAIDs are ibuprofen or naproxen. A proton pump inhibitor (PPI) may be required depending on GI risk.

MST® is currently the most frequently prescribed brand of morphine sulphate modified release (M/R) across NHSGGC. From 01/09/2017 the preferred choice of solid morphine sulphate M/R across primary and secondary care will change to Zomorph® capsules. 

A site dedicated to the prevention,diagnosis and management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) has recently been introduced onto StaffNet.